Pressure plunger and associated methods

ABSTRACT

Pressure plunger apparatus for mitigating a clogging in a channel and associated methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, a plunger apparatus can include an outer tube, an actuator positioned inside the outer tube, a seal positioned between the outer tube and the actuator, and a fitting attached to the tube component. The seal is operably attached to the outer tube and fixedly attached to the actuator. The actuator is configured to be moved reciprocally so as to generate a pressure difference of a fluid positioned inside the outer tube. The pressure difference can drive at least a portion of the fluid positioned inside the outer tube to be ejected from the outer tube to the channel so as to mitigate the clogging in the channel.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosed embodiments relate to pressure plungers for clearing clogs from a channel. In particular, the present technology relates to pressure plungers that can be easily assembled and disassembled and associated methods.

BACKGROUND

Fluid channels can become clogged by cumulated materials or particles suspended in fluids flowing through fluid channels. By generating a pressure difference in the fluids using a pressure plunger, the cumulated materials or particles can be dislodged and then removed from the fluid channels. For example, bowl-type pressure plungers are commonly used to clear clogged toilets. However, conventional bowl-type pressure plungers have relatively complicated designs, are difficulty to clean, and have relatively high manufacturing costs. In addition, when inserting a conventional bowl-type pressure plunger into a fluid channel, a large volume of fluid may be displaced and cause inconvenience. Therefore, it is advantageous to have an improved pressure plunger that can be easily cleaned, effectively dislodges clogs, and has a relatively low manufacturing cost.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a plunger apparatus in accordance with embodiments of the present technology.

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating another plunger apparatus in accordance with embodiments of the present technology.

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a reciprocal movement of an actuator in accordance with embodiments of the present technology.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method in accordance with embodiments of the present technology.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Specific details of several embodiments of pressure plungers and associated methods are described below. A person skilled in the relevant art will also understand that the technology may have additional embodiments, and that the technology may be practiced without several of the details of the embodiments described below with reference to FIGS. 1-4.

A plunger apparatus in accordance with the present technology can be easily assembled and disassembled. The easy assembling/disassembling feature provides at least the benefits of (1) relatively low manufacturing costs and short assembling time and (2) enabling a user to easily maintain or clean up the pressure plunger. In addition, a plunger apparatus in accordance with the present technology can accommodate a certain amount of fluid therein, thereby avoiding (or at least mitigating) possible fluid displacement or overflow. Several embodiments of pressure plungers in accordance with the present technology can include an outer tube that defines a chamber, an actuator (e.g., a hollow cylinder or a rod member) positioned inside the outer tube, a seal (e.g., a seal ring) positioned between the outer tube and the actuator, and a fitting attached to the outer tube. In some embodiments, the fitting and the outer tube can be integrally formed together, such as by a molding process, or the fitting can be a separate component that is attached to the outer tube. A user can operate the pressure plunger by moving (e.g., pushing and/or pulling) the actuator so as to generate positive and/or negative pressure differences that dislodge clogs from a fluid channel (e.g., in a toilet or a drain).

The seal can be operably (e.g., movably) attached to an inner surface of the outer tube and fixedly (e.g., non-movably) attached to an outer surface of the actuator. During operation when the pressure plunger is inserted into a clogged fluid channel, the seal can create an air-tight chamber inside the chamber defined by the outer tube. As a user moves (e.g., pushes and/or pulls) the actuator, the seal can move accordingly while maintaining the air-tight condition. The movements of the actuator and the seal can thus generate pressure differences that dislodge a clog in a clogged fluid channel.

In some embodiments, the fitting can be designed to fit a fluid channel so as to provide a close contact therewith. For example, the fitting can have an angled portion or elbow with an angle (e.g., from 25 to 75 degrees) with respect to a longitudinal axis of the outer tube. This arrangement enables a user to easily insert and fit the plunger apparatus into a curved/angled fluid chancel or a fluid channel with a narrow opening. In some embodiments, the fitting can have a flexible flange (e.g., made by flexible material such as rubber or other suitable materials that can engage the perimeter surface of a fluid channel).

Methods for mitigating a clogging in a fluid channel are also disclosed. A method can include positioning a plunger apparatus (e.g., including an outer tube, a fitting and a seal) into a clogged fluid channel. More particularly, the method can include positioning the fitting attached to the outer tube into the clogged fluid channel. The method can then fixedly attach the fitting with a surface of the clogged fluid channel. The method can then move (e.g., push) the actuator positioned inside the outer tube in a first direction (e.g., a direction towards the clogged fluid channel) over a first distance (e.g., along a portion of the length of the outer tube) so as to generate a first pressure difference in the clogged fluid channel. The method can further include moving (e.g., pull) the actuator in a second direction (e.g., opposite to the first direction) over a second distance (e.g., smaller than the first distance) so as to generate a second pressure difference in the clogged fluid channel. The method can repeatedly move the actuator so as to generate proper pressure differences until a clog is dislodged from the clogged fluid channel.

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a plunger apparatus 100 in accordance with embodiments of the present technology. As shown in FIG. 1, the plunger apparatus 100 includes an outer tube 101, a fitting 103 coupled to the outer tube 101, an actuator 105 positioned inside the outer tube 101, and a seal 111. In some embodiments, the outer tube 101 and the fitting 103 can be formed integrally with each other, such as by a molding process. In the illustrated embodiment, the fitting 103 includes an angled portion. In some embodiments, the angle of the fitting can range from 25 degrees to 75 degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis of the outer tube 101. In other embodiments, the fitting 103 can have different shapes so as to fit into various fluid channels.

In some embodiments, the outer tube 101, the fitting 103 and the actuator 105 can be made of hard plastic materials (e.g., polyvinyl chloride, PVC) or other suitable materials. In the illustrated embodiment, the fitting 103 can include an opening 107 and a flexible flange 109. In some embodiments, the flexible flange 109 can be made of flexible materials (e.g., rubber or other suitable materials). In other embodiments, the flexible flange 109 can have different shapes for fitting different types of fluid channels.

As shown in FIG. 1, the seal 111 is positioned between the outer tube 101 and the actuator 105. The seal 111 is operably (e.g., movably) attached to an inner surface 1011 of the outer tube 101 and fixedly (e.g., non-movably) attached to an outer surface 1051 of the actuator 105. When a user positions the plunger apparatus 100 into a fluid channel 113 (having a fluid 115 and at least one clog 117 therein), the seal 111 can create a substantive air-tight chamber 119 inside the outer tube 101 (and a portion of the fitting 103). When a user moves (e.g., pushes or pulls) the actuator 105 upwardly or downwardly (e.g., along the vertical axis of FIG. 1), the seal 111 can be moved accordingly to maintain the substantive air-tight chamber 119. The movements of the actuator 105 and the seal 111 can generate positive and negative pressure differences of the fluid 115 (e.g., the actuator 105 compresses the air in the substantive air-tight chamber 119 and the compressed air then further compresses the fluid 115) so as to dislodge the clog 117 in the fluid channel 113 (e.g., the clog 117 starts to flow with the fluid 115 in the fluid channel 113). In other embodiments, the substantive air-tight chamber 119 can be filled with the fluid 115. In this case, the movement of the actuator 105 and the seal 111 can generate a pressure difference of the fluid 115 by directly compressing the fluid 115. In some embodiments, the generated pressure differences can drive at least a portion of the fluid 115 positioned inside the outer tube 101 and the fitting 103 to be ejected from the plunger apparatus 100 (e.g., through the opening 107) to the fluid channel 113.

The actuator 105 can include a cap 1052. When the cap 1052 contacts the outer tube 101, the actuator 105 stops moving downwardly (e.g., along the vertical axis of FIG. 1). In the illustrated embodiment, the cap 1052 can include a handle 121 and a stop (e.g., a stop ring) 123. The cap 1052 can be formed with at least one recess 125. The handle 121 and the recess 125 can facilitate a user to grasp the actuator 105 during operation. The stop 123 can be configured to stop the downward movement of the actuator 105. In some embodiment, the stop 123 can be made of hard plastic material (e.g., PVC). In some embodiments, the stop 123 and the handle 121 can be formed as an integral. In some embodiment, the cap 1052 can have different shapes depending on various designs.

As shown in FIG. 1, the outer tube 101 can include a vent (e.g., a ventilation hole) 1012. The vent 1012 is configured to enable ambient air to flow into the outer tube 101 when the actuator 105 moves downwardly (or to enable air inside the outer tube 101 to flow out when the actuator 105 moves upwardly), thereby facilitating the movement of the actuator 105. In some embodiments, the vent 1012 can avoid a fluid overflow from the top of the outer tube 101. For example, when the seal 111 moves (e.g., upwardly) over the vent 1012, ambient air can flow into the outer tube 101 via the vent 1012 so as to prevent the fluid 115 from moving up and flowing out from the top of the outer tube 101.

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating another plunger apparatus 200 in accordance with embodiments of the present technology. The plunger apparatus 200 can include an outer tube 201, a fitting 203 coupled to the outer tube 201, an actuator 205 positioned inside the outer tube 201, and a seal 211. In some embodiments, the outer tube 201 and the fitting 203 can be formed integrally with each other. In the illustrated embodiment, an opening 207 of the fitting 203 has a diameter smaller than the diameter of the outer tube 201. A smaller opening diameter facilitates a user to position the plunger apparatus 200 in a narrow fluid channel. In some embodiments, a smaller opening diameter can change (e.g., increase) a pressure difference caused by the movements of the actuator 205, thereby enhancing the performance of the plunger apparatus 200.

In some embodiments, the fitting 203 can include a curved portion. In other embodiments, the fitting 203 can have different shapes so as to fit into various fluid channels. In some embodiments, the outer tube 201, the fitting 203 and the actuator 205 can be made of hard plastic materials (e.g., polyvinyl chloride, PVC) or other suitable materials. In the illustrated embodiment, the fitting 203 can include a flexible flange 209 made of flexible materials (e.g., rubber) or other suitable materials. In other embodiments, the flexible flange 209 can have different shapes for fitting different types of fluid channels.

Referring to FIG. 2, the seal 211 is positioned between the outer tube 201 and the actuator 205. The seal 211 is operably (e.g., movably) attached to an inner surface 2011 of the outer tube 201 and fixedly (e.g., non-movably) attached to an outer surface 2051 of the actuator 205. When a user positions the plunger apparatus 200 in a fluid channel 213 (having a fluid 215 and at least one clog 217 therein), the seal 211 can create a substantive air-tight chamber 219 defined by the outer tube 201, the fitting 203 and the actuator 205. When a user moves (e.g., pushes or pulls) the actuator 205 upwardly or downwardly (e.g., along the vertical axis of FIG. 2), the seal 211 can move accordingly to maintain the substantive air-tight chamber 219. The movements of the actuator 205 and the seal 211 can generate appositive and/or negative pressure differences of the fluid 215 (e.g., the actuator 205 compresses the air in the substantive air-tight chamber 219 and the compressed air then further compresses the fluid 215) so as to dislodge the clog 217 in the fluid channel 213 (e.g., the clog 217 starts to flow with the fluid 215 in the fluid channel 213). In other embodiments, the substantive air-tight chamber 219 can be filled with the fluid 215. In this case, the movement of the cylinder component 205 and the seal component 211 can generate a pressure difference of the fluid 215 by directly compressing the fluid 215. In some embodiments, the generated pressure differences can drive at least a portion of the fluid 215 positioned inside the outer tube 201 and the fitting 203 to be ejected from the plunger apparatus 200 (e.g., through the opening 207) to the fluid channel 213.

In the illustrated embodiment, the actuator 205 can be a hollow cylinder having a cap 2052. When the cap 2052 contacts the outer tube 201, the actuator 205 stops moving downwardly (e.g., along the vertical axis of FIG. 2). In some embodiment, the cap 2052 can be made of hard plastic material (e.g., PVC) or other suitable materials. In some embodiment, the cap 2052 can have different shapes depending on various designs.

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a reciprocal movement of an actuator 305 in accordance with embodiments of the present technology. As shown in FIG. 3, the actuator 305 and a seal 311 (which is fixedly attached to the actuator 305) can first be moved (e.g., pushed by a user) downwardly along a first direction (e.g., downwardly along the vertical axis in FIG. 3) over a first distance D1. The actuator 305 and the seal 311 can then be moved (e.g., pulled by a user) upwardly along a second direction (e.g., upwardly along the vertical axis in FIG. 3) over a second distance D2. The actuator 305 and the seal 311 can then be moved (e.g., pushed by a user) downwardly along the first direction (e.g., downwardly along the vertical axis in FIG. 3) over a third distance D3. The reciprocating movement of the actuator 305 discussed above generates pressure differences that dislodge clogs from a fluid channel. A user can repeatedly move the actuator 305 until resolving the clog in the fluid channel.

In the illustrated embodiments, the first distance D1 is greater than the second distance D2 which is substantially equal to the third distance D3. In other embodiments, however, the actuator 305 can be moved over different distances or operated under different reciprocal movements depending on a user's preference and other suitable factors, such as the severity of a clogging.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method 400 in accordance with embodiments of the present technology. The method 400 illustrates an operation of a plunger apparatus (e.g., the plunger apparatus 100 or 200). The plunger apparatus can include an outer tube, a fitting coupled to the outer tube, an actuator positioned inside the outer tube, and a seal. The method 400 starts at block 401 and then continues at block 403 by positioning the fitting in a clogged fluid channel. The method 400 continues at block 405 by fixedly engaging the fitting with a surface of the clogged fluid channel. In some embodiments, the method 400 can include deforming or compressing a flexible flange (e.g., the flexible flange 109 and 209) of the fitting so as to seal the flexible flange against the surface of the clogged fluid channel.

At block 407, the method 400 continues by moving (e.g., pushing) the actuator positioned inside the outer tube in a first direction (e.g., downwardly along the vertical direction in FIG. 1, 2 or 3) over a first distance (e.g., the first distance D1 shown in FIG. 3) so as to generate a first pressure difference in the clogged fluid channel. The method continues at block 409 by moving (e.g., pulling) the actuator in a second direction opposite to the first direction (e.g., upwardly along the vertical direction in FIG. 1, 2 or 3) over a second distance (e.g. the second distance D2 shown in FIG. 3) so as to generate a second pressure difference in the clogged fluid channel. At block 411, the method 400 continues by moving (e.g., pushing) the actuator in the first direction (e.g., downwardly along the vertical direction in FIG. 1, 2 or 3) over a third distance (e.g., the third distance D3 shown in FIG. 3) so as to generate a third pressure difference in the clogged fluid channel.

The method 400 then proceeds to a decision block 413 to determine whether a clog in the fluid channel has been resolved. If so, then the method 400 ends at block 415. If not the method returns to block 409 to repeat the movements of the actuator described in blocks 409 and 411 until the clogging is resolved.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that specific embodiments of the technology have been described herein for purposes of illustration, but that various modifications may be made without deviating from the disclosure. Certain aspects of the new technology described in the context of particular embodiments may also be combined or eliminated in other embodiments. Moreover, although advantages associated with certain embodiments of the new technology have been described in the context of those embodiments, other embodiments may also exhibit such advantages and not all embodiments need necessarily exhibit such advantages to fall within the scope of the technology. Accordingly, the disclosure and associated technology can encompass other embodiments not expressly shown or described herein. 

I/We claim:
 1. A plunger apparatus, comprising: an outer tube having an inner surface; an actuator positioned inside the outer tube, the actuator having an outer surface; a seal positioned between the outer tube and the actuator, the seal being operably attached to the inner surface of the outer tube, and the seal being fixedly attached to the outer surface of the actuator; and a fitting attached to the outer tube, the fitting having a flexible flange and an opening; wherein the actuator is configured to be moved reciprocally so as to generate a pressure difference of a fluid positioned inside the outer tube; and wherein the pressure difference ejects at least a portion of the fluid through the opening of the fitting.
 2. The plunger apparatus of claim 1 wherein the actuator includes a cap configured to stop movement of the actuator with respect to the outer tube in a first direction.
 3. The plunger apparatus of claim 1 wherein the actuator includes a recess facilitating a user to grasp the actuator during operation.
 4. The plunger apparatus of claim 1 wherein the actuator includes a hollow actuator.
 5. The plunger apparatus of claim 1 wherein the fitting and the outer tube are integrally formed.
 6. The plunger apparatus of claim 1 wherein the fitting includes an angled portion with an angle of 45 degrees.
 7. The plunger apparatus of claim 1 wherein the fitting includes a curved portion.
 8. The plunger apparatus of claim 1 wherein the outer tube includes a vent.
 9. The plunger apparatus of claim 1 wherein the outer tube has a first diameter and the opening has a second diameter smaller than the first diameter.
 10. The plunger apparatus of claim 1 wherein the flexible flange at least partially deforms when the flexible flange contacts a surface of a fluid channel.
 11. A method of mitigating a clogging in a channel, comprising: positioning a fitting coupled to an outer tube in the channel; fixedly engaging a flexible flange of the fitting with a surface of the channel; moving an actuator positioned inside the outer tube in a first direction over a first distance so as to generate a first pressure difference of a fluid positioned in the channel; moving the actuator in a second direction over a second distance so as to generate a second pressure difference of the fluid positioned in the channel, wherein the second direction is opposite to the first direction, and wherein the second distance is smaller than the first distance; and moving the actuator in the first direction over a third distance so as to generate a third pressure difference of the fluid positioned in the channel; wherein the outer tube has an inner surface and the actuator has an outer surface; wherein a seal is positioned between the outer tube and the actuator; and wherein the seal is operably attached to the inner surface of the outer tube and the seal is fixedly attached to the outer surface of the actuator.
 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising stopping the actuator in an event a cap of the actuator contacts the outer tube.
 13. The method of claim 11, further comprising ejecting at least a portion of the fluid through an opening of the fitting.
 14. The method of claim 11 wherein: the third distance is substantially the same as the second distance; the third pressure difference is substantially the same as the second pressure difference; and the first pressure difference is greater than the second pressure difference.
 15. The method of claim 11 wherein the actuator includes a recess facilitating a user to grasp the actuator during operation.
 16. The method of claim 11 wherein the actuator includes a hollow cylinder.
 17. The method of claim 11 wherein the fitting and the outer tube are integrally formed.
 18. The method of claim 11 wherein the fitting includes an angled portion with an angle of 45 degrees.
 19. The method of claim 11, further comprising at least partially deforming the flexible flange when the flexible flange is fixedly attached to the surface of the channel.
 20. A method of mitigating a clogging in a channel, comprising: positioning a fitting coupled to a tube component in the channel; seamlessly engaging a flexible flange of the fitting with a surface of the channel; positioning an actuator inside the outer tube, positioning a seal between the outer tube and the actuator, wherein the seal is operably attached to the outer tube, and wherein the seal is fixedly attached to the actuator; moving the actuator in a first direction over a first distance so as to generate a first pressure difference of a fluid positioned in the channel; moving the actuator in a second direction over a second distance so as to generate a second pressure difference, wherein the second direction is opposite to the first direction, and wherein the second distance is smaller than the first distance; and moving the actuator in the first direction over a third distance so as to generate a third pressure difference of the fluid positioned in the channel. 